Note: this report does not cover the Lookout itself. We took the Park Butte trail to the second junction that splits left to the Lookout and right to Railroad Grade. We did not go all the way to the top of the Lookout but instead we opted for Railroad Grade. Regardless, this report will be helpful for both trails as both destinations will share the same trailhead for the first half of your hiike.
Road: It's rough but passable. Immediately upon entering Baker Lake Rd, you'll encounter potholes that worsen as you get closer to the trailhead. We took our iddy-biddy Chevy Bolt and it had no issues, though it took 55 minutes to drive 6 miles. Larger vehicles will be quicker. No snow, no downed branches, no washouts.
Trail Conditions: there are two riverbeds to cross. One has a stable, makeshift bridge upon which you can walk. The other requires skipping over or wading through the water. Don't worry, the depth is aboutt ankle-high. If you can do it, which most people can, you can simply jump over rock-to-rock. It gets muddy in spots about midway up the trail.
Equipment: nothing fancy - just hiking shoes/boots. Waterproof is recommend for possible wading through a creek and muddy spots. Sunscreen & bug repellent is highly recommended.
Difficulty Level: My GF and I are out of shape and only hike once in a while. Compared to other hikes, it's relatively short in duration but intensifies midway. If two out-of-shape city dwellers can do it, then you can easily conquer it. Full disclosure: we didn't go all the way to the end of the trail because it required traversing a razor-thin ridge and we're petrified of heights.
The Actual Hike: The trail starts off fairly level. You'll soon come across your first "obstacle": a rocky riverbed that still has an active stream of water. Don't worry, it's not deep or rapid but barely wide enough where you'll either have to briefly wade through water or jump rock-to-rock. The second riverbed has been blessed by a makeshift bridge, courtesy of nature-loving volunteers. After you clear both crossings, the trail gradually intensifies. If you're of out shape like us, you'll eventually need a 5 minute pause to catch your breath. It doesn't take long until you clear the layer of forest and enter into open meadows filled with berries and wildflowers (as of mid July, the berries were still green). This is where you'll need sunscreen as the shady protection from hovering trees immediately disappears. After entering the meadow, you'll be faced with a junction: to the left is the Park Butte Lookout and to the right is Railroad Grade. We opted for Railroad Grade because the Lookout was another 1,000-ish ft worth of gain. So if you want something tranquil and easy on the diaphragm, Railroad Grade is perfect. A set of stairs will take you over a ridge where an up-close and panoramic view of Mt Baker awaits. Go a bit further and there's a razor-thin ridge that only the brave and well-equipped should traverse. We stopped just short of the ridge but still cautiously crept up to the ledge to take in an awesome view of the ravine below.
Overall, if you want quiet, not overcrowded and absolutely breathtaking vistas, this is your hike.
Difficulty Level:
My GF and I are out of shape and only hike once in a while. Compared to other hikes, it's relatively short in duration but intensifies midway. My gf had to rest for 5 minutes before proceeding upward. If two out-of-shape city dwellers can go almost to the top, then you can easily conquer it. We didn't go all the way to the end of the trail because it required traversing a razor-thin ridge and we're petrified
of heights.
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